Why are flocks of birds dying

To justify the cost, Nikon says that exceptional image quality is achieved by using Extra Low Dispersion lenses, which keep image color sharp, and its own Field Flattener Lens system, which counteracts the curvature and wide field of view to the very edge of the image. These are also great adventure binos, thanks to a tough and light magnesium casing, as well as scratch-resistant lenses and a water- and fog-proof finish.

Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. Scientists have found thousands of dead birds representing an estimated die-off of hundreds of thousands or more. Birds are often canaries in the coal mine for extreme weather and overall climate change effects. These birds seem like they're starving, sluggish, and disoriented, which could be environmental in several ways. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

For the Birds. This content is imported from Twitter. Best Overall. Best Image. Best Value. Best for Stargazing. Click here for more information. It might have been a perfect storm of reasons. By Drew Higgins Nov 10 But I had never seen just piles and piles of dead birds in one spot.

Like what you read? Sign up for daily updates from Sierra magazine. Sign up is Processing. Thanks for signing up for the Green Life email newsletter. More stories about: birds , science , wildlife.

Related Stories. A network of DIY radio towers is on the case. The Colonels. In praise of the ordinary night heron. Myra Finkelstein once put her body on the line.

Now she wields data. During this migration it is crucial they land every few days to refuel before continuing their journey. Historic wildfires across the western states of the US could mean they had to re-route their migration away from resource-rich coastal areas and move inland over the Chihuahuan desert, where food and water are scarce, essentially meaning they starved to death. The south-western states of the US have experienced extremely dry conditions — believed to be related to the climate crisis — meaning there could be fewer insects, the main food source for migrating birds.

A cold snap locally between 9 and 10 September could have also worsened conditions for the birds. Any of these weather events may have triggered birds to start their migration early, having not built up sufficient fat reserves.

Another theory is that the smoke from the wildfires may have damaged their lungs. Initially, incidents were thought to be unrelated, but thanks to online forums, ornithologists noticed that they were happening all across the region.

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Politics Covid U. News World Opinion Business.

Share this —. Follow NBC News.